Apricot tree named ‘ASFCOT0201’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, denominated ‘ASFCOT0201’, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a medium orange flesh of high eating quality, aromatic and with a high level of sugar, and with an attractive luminous orange red blush on a luminous orange yellow background.

Botanical classification: Prunus armeniaca L.

Variety denomination: ‘ASFCOT0201’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2011/0567 filed on Mar. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricottree, Prunus armeniaca L., which has been given the variety denomination‘ASFCOT0201’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf lifewithout alteration after harvesting, very good eating quality, andfreestone orange flesh fruit for fresh market in July in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘ASFCOT0409’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,135), an apricot tree, for reliable description.‘ASFCOT0201’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that ithas very attractive fruits with long shelf life without alteration afterharvesting. This new variety results from our plant-breeding programaimed at obtaining apricot trees producing fruits of sweet and aromatictaste, with an attractive bright orange yellow fruit skin covered by anappealing orange red blush. One of our main concerns is also theproduction of new varieties producing fruits having a long shelf lifeafter harvesting, in order to facilitate long distance shipping. Ourfinal purpose is the production of a range of new apricot tree varietiesdiffering by their time of maturity, while producing fruits of verysimilar characteristics, in order to provide markets with almostindistinguishable fruits during the whole period of production ofapricot.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘ASFCOT0201’ apricot tree originated in a cultivated area of thesouth of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘ASFCOT0201’ variety male and female parents are unknown. Moreparticularly, this variety was randomly obtained, from a stone randomlyselected and then planted. ‘ASFCOT0201’ was provisionally designated,tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number01.20.44 AB ASF 0201 and was registered at the Official Catalogue of theAgriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 23, 2010 undernumber 4047128. The ‘ASFCOT0201’ variety was propagated by grafting on a‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (non patented) rootstock. It has been determinedto have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of apricot tree blooms early in March inthe Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, itapproximately blooms between March 6^(th) and March 15^(th), generally 3or 4 days later than ‘ASFCOT0409’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,135).‘ASFCOT0201’ apricot tree is a non auto-fertile variety; a crosspollination, provided by ‘ASFCOT0409’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,135)variety or ‘ASFCOT0404’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,138) variety isnecessary.

The first fruit of ‘ASFCOT0201’ apricot tree ripens at the end of Juneor early in July, generally about 5 days later than ‘ASFCOT0409’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 21,135). However, it was observed that its early date ofmaturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows three whole fruits and leavesof the new variety, and a fourth fruit, cut in half, with the stone leftin one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh and the stone of thenew variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows different views of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘ASFCOT0201’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-upright outaspect. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium;flowering begins early in March. The flower petals are very pale pink atthe opening, then white. Leaf glands are present and round. Time ofmaturity for consumption is considered medium. The fruit flesh isconsidered orange. The fruit skin is medium thick and colored with a redorange blush on an orange yellow background. The stone is medium size.Fruit taste is very aromatic and with a good balance between the levelof sugar and acidity.

Compared to ‘ASFCOT0409’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,135) apricot tree,‘ASFCOT0201’ variety blooms broadly 3 or 4 days later and ripensapproximately 5 days later than ‘ASFCOT0409’, as set forth above.‘ASFCOT0201’ variety produces very attractive fruits, with a homogenouspresentation and a luminous red coloration, covering 40 to 60% of thefruit skin, on a luminous orange yellow background. The fruit shape of‘ASFCOT0201’ is rounder than ‘ASFCOT0409’ fruits. ‘ASFCOT0201’ fruitsflesh is very tasty, aromatic, with a high level of sugars, and veryjuicy. The time of maturity of the new variety is also interesting,because it ripens just a few days after ‘ASFCOT0409’ variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of apricot tree, the following was observed on trees intheir fourth year of production. under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been doneon rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (nonpatented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference toThe R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common            commercial apricot cultivars. Trees reach about 250 cm            during the first growing season. Trees were pruned during            each following season to a height of approximately 250 cm            and to a diameter of 200 cm.-   Spread: Approximately 200 cm. The whole orchard was oriented to a    central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters    and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same tree line.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous. Current season shoots growth could reach    100 cm. During the first year of growth, trees growth reaches    250 cm. In the second and following seasons, the size of trees is    reduced to 250 cm by pruning. However, these characteristics are    dependant on soils fertility, cultural practices, and prevailing    climatic conditions.-   Productivity: Very Productive and regular. Fruit set is spaced by    thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired market    sized fruit. Because of the fruit size, the new variety only    requires a medium thinning for the tree valorisation. Thinning was    necessary every year during the years of observation. The number of    the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and    cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is    therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. No alternate bearing was observed.-   Form: The ‘ASFCOT0201’ variety has a naturally semi-upright shape.-   Density: Considered highly dense, in order to obtain and observe    fruits more quickly.-   Fertility: The ‘ASFCOT0201’ variety is non auto-fertile. A    pollination cross, provided by ‘ASFCOT0409’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.    21,135) or ‘ASFCOT0404 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,138), is necessary.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales    departmenttypical climatic conditions. Experimentations on different    sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between 350 hours    and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. The    tree also seems to have a good resistance to frosty springtime    weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 9.0 cm and 10.0 cm in diameter when    measured at a distance of approximately 20 cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered smooth to rough when numerous lenticels are    present.-   Bark coloration: The bark has a green brown (RHS Brown N 200 B) or a    silver-orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166A) coloration, depending    on the sunlight exposure.-   Lenticels:    -   -   Lenticel color.—A light grey color (RHS Greyed Yellow Group            161 D).        -   Density.—Numerous lenticels are present, approximately 5            lenticels per cm².        -   Size.—Lenticels are approximately 1.5 millimeters in width            and 2.5 millimeters long.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Current season shoots are considered medium for the variety.    Mature branches, during the fourth year of production, are    considered medium to large for the variety. Mature branches are    pruned to a length of about 50.0 centimeters.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other apricot varieties. The    current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters,    and mature branches have a diameter from 20.0 to 25.0 millimeters.-   Surface texture: Current season shoots have a smooth texture. Mature    branches are medium rough. Roughness increases with tree age.-   Crotch angles: The crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees    and 70 degrees from the trunk axis. At maturity, the crotch angle    increases with fruits weight. This particular characteristic is not    considered distinctive of the variety, however.-   Internode length: Generally between 15.0 millimeters and 20.0    millimeters.-   Color of mature branches: Orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 A) or    green brown (RHS Brown N 200 B).-   Color of current season's shoots: Considered an orange brown (RHS    Greyed Orange Group 166 A to 166 B) on the upper part, whereas the    lower part of new shoot tips is colored grey brown (RHS Grey Brown    199 A). The current season's shoots color evolves and turns to    mature branches color when aging.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous.-   Lenticels:    -   -   Density.—Numerous lenticels are present, approximately 5            lenticels per cm², especially on mature branches.        -   Size.—Considered slightly smaller than trunk's lenticels,            they are approximately 1.0 millimeters wide and 2.0            millimeters long.        -   Color.—A light grey (RHS Greyed Yellow Group 161 D).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species.-   Leaf length: Approximately 83.0 to 90.0 millimeters.-   Leaf width: Approximately 70.0 to 83.0 millimeters.-   Leaf form: Almost circular.-   Leaf tip form: Acuminate.-   Leaf base form: Generally round or truncated.-   Leaf margins: Considered crenate.-   Thickness: Medium.-   Upper surface texture: Smooth.-   Lower surface texture: Smooth.-   Leaf colour:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Green Group 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Green Group 137 C) than            the upper leaf surface color.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter when measured at the            base of the leaf.        -   Color.—Yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) near the apex            and red violet (RHS Red Purple Group 59 B) from the middle            of the mid-vein to its base.-   Other veins color: Green (RHS Green Group 145 A to 145 B).-   Uniformity: Leaves are of medium size and generally found alone. No    stipules are generally found.-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Generally large.        -   Length.—Between 40.0 and 52.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Surface.—Generally smooth.-   Petioles colour:    -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Depending on climatic conditions and            sunlight exposure, the anthocyanic coloration on petiole's            upper surface can be very present and varies from red (RHS            Red Group 53 B) to purple red (RHS Red Purple Group 59 B).        -   Lower surface.—Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green            145 B to 145C).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0            millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.9 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.9 millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally between 2 and 3 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Round.        -   Position.—Alternate between upper portion of petiole and            lower portion of leaf blade.        -   Color.—Generally greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange Group 165            A).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a very rounded tip (ball            shaped). Their form is evolving until blooming, with            variable dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are            approximately 12.0 millimeters wide and approximately 20.0            millimeters long.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to 183 C); the corolla,            formed by the petals, is generally of white color (RHS White            Group N 155 B to N 155 C) with a slightly pink pigmentation            (RHS Red Purple 69 C to 69 D).-   Texture: Smooth.-   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central    Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions. No winter injury    was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the central    Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter temperatures as low as    −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not been    intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety    showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42    degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30    degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—About 3.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters.-   Flower shoots of leaf buds:    -   -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Length.—About 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Orange grey (RHS Greyed Orange 175 A).-   Flower shoots of flower buds:    -   -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Length.—About 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Orange grey (RHS Greyed Orange 175 A).-   Date of bloom: Generally in March.-   First bloom: The first bloom was observed on Mar. 6, 2003.-   Full bloom: Mar. 10, 2003.-   Petal fall: Mar. 15, 2003.-   Blooming time: Considered semi-early season in relative comparison    to other commercial apricot cultivars grown in the    Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.-   Duration of bloom: Between 8 and 12 days.-   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 23.0 to    28.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, flowers are generally found in    bunches.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 1 flower bud or several flower buds    per groups of 2 to 3.-   Petal size:    -   -   Length.—Generally about 12.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 12.0 millimeters.-   Petal form: Round-shaped, narrower at point of attachment.-   Petal count: Generally 5, overlapping sepals.-   Petal texture: Smooth.-   Petal color: Generally, both sides of petals are colored in a very    light pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to 69 C) at popping stage and then    white (RHS White Group N 155 B to N 155 C).-   Fragrance: Moderate.-   Petal claw color: Considered pale pink (RHS Red Purple N 66 D).-   Petal margins: Generally slightly wavy, sinuate, with a smooth    texture.-   Petal base: Narrow at point of attachment.-   Petal apex: Round.-   Petal peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Generally yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C) with            areas colored almost in red (RHS Red 46 D).-   Sepals:    -   -   Size.—Generally considered small.        -   Sepal count.—5.        -   Form.—Triangular, with a slightly pointed apex.        -   Color.—Considered purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to            183 C).        -   Margins.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—The apex is round-shaped to slightly pointed.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Stamens:    -   -   Average number of stamen per flower.—Approximately 35            stamens per flower.        -   Length.—Medium.-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Approximately between 10.0 and 15.0 millimeters in            length.        -   Color.—White (RHS White Group N 155 B).-   Anthers:    -   -   Color.—Orange Yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16 D).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the            ovary, which has a size of approximately 1.5 millimeters.            Generally at the same level as anthers.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group            150 D or RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D).        -   Pubescence.—Present.-   Pollen:    -   -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and non auto-fertile.        -   Color.—Orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to 17 C).-   Filaments size: Approximately between 10.0 and 15.0 millimeters.-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.

FRUIT

-   Maturity: Considered medium-season, generally the first week of    July.-   Date of first picking: Jul. 3, 2003.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 25, 2011. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘ASFCOT0201    variety has medium date of picking and a grouped maturity. The    maturity is grouped within 7 to 9 days and the harvest is generally    performed in two runs.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large.        -   Length.—Approximately 50.0 to 55.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 47.0 to 50.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 48.0 to 52.0 millimeters.-   Typical weight: Generally between 60.0 and 70.0 grams. This    characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round and very slightly elevated. The fruit is            considered to be symmetrical.-   Suture:    -   -   Generally.—Slightly marked, extending from the base to the            apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the            suture line.        -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color. The suture is colored with red orange (RHS Red            Group 45 A to 45 B or RHS Red Group 45 B to 45 C).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Round.-   Apex: Flat.-   Base: Straight to slightly wide-mouthed.-   Stem cavity: Shallow. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 4.5    millimeters. Average width is about 7.0 millimeters.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Generally small. Stem length is about 5.0 to 6.0            millimeters. Stem diameter is about 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Stem color is generally green (RHS Green Group 143 C            to 143 D).-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium.        -   Texture.—Smooth and strong.        -   Pubescence.—Present but very light, almost non-existent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is an orange red (RHS Red            Group 45 A to 45 B or RHS Red Group 45 B to 45 C). The            orange red blush covers 40 to 60% of the fruit skin surface.            The darker blush color within the described range appears on            fruits exposed to sunlight. The percentage of the blush on            the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant            upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was            grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers 40 to 60% of the fruit            skin surface, and is considered orange yellow (RHS Yellow            Orange Group 17 A).        -   Adherence to flesh.—Very adherent.        -   Taste.—Very slightly acid, with a high level of sugars.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Homogenously.        -   Texture.—Fine and firm. Very melting and juicy at end of            maturity.        -   Fibers.—Generally none observed.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Firmness.—Firm and melting. Holds firmness over the time.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic, with a            high level of sugars.        -   Flavor.—Considered very good. Good balance between sugar and            acidity. Very aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy. The juiciness increases with maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 15.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree, prevailing cultural practices and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Considered medium orange (RHS Orange Group 16 A            to 16 B or RHS Yellow Orange Group 22B).

STONE

-   Stone cavity:    -   -   Color.—Orange (RHS Orange Group 22 B).        -   Length.—Approximately between 27.0 and 30.0 millimeters.-   Stone type: Free, but the stone seems to be slightly attached to the    flesh through its base and its edges.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies    depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing    conditions.    -   -   Length.—Approximately 25.0 to 27.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 11.0 to 12.0 millimeters.-   Stone form (viewed from stem end): Ovate, flattened.-   Stone base shape: Round to slightly concave.-   Stone apex shape: Round, generally no point is observed.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—Medium to smooth.        -   Ridges at stone surface.—The ridges are present on both            sides of the stone. A ridge is generally narrow. The ridges            begin at the base and are extending all along the stone.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a    greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange    165 B to 165 C).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent.-   Kernel:    -   -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 13.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange            165 B to 165 C). The almond, which is the seed of the            kernel, is considered white (RHS White 155 D).-   Use: The subject variety ‘ASFCOT0201 is considered to be a apricot    tree with a medium season maturity, and which produces fruits that    are considered firm, attractively and luminously colored. Fruits    have a balanced taste between acidity and sugar. They are excellent    for uncooked or cooked consumption, melting and juicy when at full    maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities and are very    aromatic. They are also useful for both local markets and very long    distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruits are well preserved during at least 3    weeks after harvest in a cold atmosphere. Fruits are considered to    have a long shelf life after harvesting without alteration.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new apricot    variety showed very little skin scarring or flesh bruises in    picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. Under meticulous observations during planting, growing    and harvesting of fruits, no particular resistance or sensitivity to    plant or fruits diseases were noticed. Any variety, observed during    indexing of plant characteristics, with abnormal fungus, bacterial    virus or insect sensitivity is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program.    Although the new variety of apricot tree possesses the described    characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions    prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it    should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and    characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,    fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management    are to be expected.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree as illustratedand described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, and with a medium orange flesh of higheating quality, aromatic and with a high level of sugar, and with anattractive luminous orange red blush on a luminous orange yellowbackground.